Today I began my second half of treatment with a different chemotherapy drug. I will be doing these treatments once a week for 12 weeks. They were very proactive in trying to ensure I didn't have an allergic reaction to this new drug. Thankfully, it worked and I didn't have a reaction at all. However, there was a problem accessing my port. As soon as she inserted the needle, I felt pain in my shoulder and my neck. In fact, over the last 5 days of so, I had been having some discomfort on the port side of my neck and shoulder, but just figured it was from exercise or stress. Unfortunately, the nurse decided that there may be something wrong with my port and scheduled me for a port study tomorrow morning. They will inject a dye into the port and follow it to see that nothing is wrong with the pathway. If something is amiss, they will have to take out the current port and give me a new one. O JOY! Just another little bump in the road. I have to be at the doctor by 6 AM tomorrow morning and won't be home until after 11 if they have to replace the port. They will be able to do that right there in the office (Interventional Radiology, I think it's called). When I asked what they will do to ensure that I don't feel anything from the port replacement, I was told they would insert an IV and send me off to "my happy place". I am good with that. We need this thing to work properly for another 11 weeks and then we can be done with it.
On the flip side, there was some really good news today (in addition to not having an allergic reaction or so far no side effects). Upon examination, the doctor kept using the word "vague" when she tried to measure my tumor. She had a hard time finding the edges to know where it started and stopped and even in the middle it felt very "vague". That is very good news - my tumor is responding to the treatment. PRAISE GOD!!! Keep praying and love to all of you.
The Real New "DO"
These are "REAL" friends
Wigs
Maddie having a little fun!!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Birthday Blessings
I am blessed to have each of you as supporters in this time in my life. Thank you to each of you that have expressed birthday greetings to me today. It has been a marvelous day so far and I'm sure it will continue to be. We have had a dance recital rehearsal, volleyball game, and time on the phone with my brother in Africa and we are headed to The Cheesecake Factory tonight for a fabulous birthday celebration. Let me update you a bit on what has happened in the last two weeks.
On May 9th, I had my final treatment of the first half of chemotherapy. For the first time, I felt sick as the meds were entering my body. I am glad that didn't happen every time. I felt sick all day Monday, some of Tuesday, and again, even worse, on Wednesday. It was a really rough week. On Friday, May 13th, I went to see Dr. Holmes again with more questions. After that appointment, I have decided to switch and begin my 2nd half of treatments with her on May 31. I will have weekly treatments with her for 12 weeks. I am not allowed to drive myself to any of those treatments, so I will be trying to put together a schedule for people to take me to treatment and for people to take care of my girls for me during treatments (since they won't be at school anymore - YEAH!!). If you can help, please let me know. This week was full with Vacation Bible School planning (I am directing Maddie's 4th grade department :)). I am trying to get as much done as possible so when VBS gets here, we are not too stressed. I was also blessed to spend some time with great friends at some lunches. I love going out to lunch. My Mom decided to come into town for my birthday at the last minute. She drove from Amarillo yesterday (Friday) and got into town around midnight and will leave tomorrow after lunch to head home. It is a little crazy, but I give her tons of credit for being willing to do so by herself.
Please continue to pray - especially on May 31 as I start my new treatments. We are hopeful that they will be more easily tolerated but equally as effective. Thanks again for all the birthday well-wishes. I love all of you!!
On May 9th, I had my final treatment of the first half of chemotherapy. For the first time, I felt sick as the meds were entering my body. I am glad that didn't happen every time. I felt sick all day Monday, some of Tuesday, and again, even worse, on Wednesday. It was a really rough week. On Friday, May 13th, I went to see Dr. Holmes again with more questions. After that appointment, I have decided to switch and begin my 2nd half of treatments with her on May 31. I will have weekly treatments with her for 12 weeks. I am not allowed to drive myself to any of those treatments, so I will be trying to put together a schedule for people to take me to treatment and for people to take care of my girls for me during treatments (since they won't be at school anymore - YEAH!!). If you can help, please let me know. This week was full with Vacation Bible School planning (I am directing Maddie's 4th grade department :)). I am trying to get as much done as possible so when VBS gets here, we are not too stressed. I was also blessed to spend some time with great friends at some lunches. I love going out to lunch. My Mom decided to come into town for my birthday at the last minute. She drove from Amarillo yesterday (Friday) and got into town around midnight and will leave tomorrow after lunch to head home. It is a little crazy, but I give her tons of credit for being willing to do so by herself.
Please continue to pray - especially on May 31 as I start my new treatments. We are hopeful that they will be more easily tolerated but equally as effective. Thanks again for all the birthday well-wishes. I love all of you!!
Devotion to Share
The Bible encourages you to give thanks to God in every situation, even in the circumstances that are difficult. This shows your willingness to have faith in Him even in the most trying areas of your life. Yet perhaps as you are expressing your gratefulness, you find that there are experiences and troubles that you just cannot trust him with. The wounds are too deep and the sacrifice too painful. Friend, God understands. Yet he does not ask for gratitude for His sake. He does it to make you whole. When you praise Him, it exposes the hidden injuries of your heart to his healing touch. Thank Him, even when it is a sacrifice. You can truly be grateful for His loving restoration.
When I read this several mornings ago, it was really helpful to me (for such a time as this). I just hope it helps you at a time when you might need it also.
When I read this several mornings ago, it was really helpful to me (for such a time as this). I just hope it helps you at a time when you might need it also.
Friday, May 6, 2011
2nd Opinion
Many of you have suggested to me that it might be in my best interest to get a 2nd opinion. Not because I don't trust my current oncologist, but more because it would be even more peace of mind that I am undergoing the correct treatment. I decided that it was a good idea, so, this last Monday, I went in to meet with Dr. Frankie Holmes. I had her name given to me by other breast cancer survivors as well as other friends. My records had all been sent to her so she would be able to communicate better with me about my particular situation. Many things came from this appointment, and because of those things, Brian and I have some praying and decisions to make. It is a bit of a long story, but here is basically how the appointment went:
Dr. Holmes had me tell her my story from start to date. As I talked to her, she made notes on my chart. She was looking through the records sent over by my current oncologist and asked me about when I go in to be checked after each treatment. When I mentioned to her that I don't go in for a check-up after each treatment, she didn't really understand. It appears that in my chart, my current dr. sent over notes that after my last chemo on April 18th, she checked my eyes, heart, lungs, abdomen, and feet. Unfortunately, none of that is true. Aside from my very first visit with my current oncologist, when she checked the tumor, she has never checked me again. When Dr. Holmes asked me if my dr. had checked my tumor after each treatment, I had to tell her no. Dr. Holmes was alarmed by this news. She let me know that a full check-up after each chemotherapy treatment is standard care for a cancer patient. I had no idea. Dr. Holmes also said something else that stuck with me. She told me that when I come into her office and I have a tumor, it becomes her tumor. She doesn't sleep well until that tumor is gone from my body. That really meant a lot to me. As we continued going through my chart, she began to discuss the pathology of my tumor with me. She explained that every tumor is given a grade. She compared grade 1 tumors to Gomer Pyle (she had to make sure I knew who that was), grade 2 tumors to G.I. Joe, and grade 3 tumors to Osama Bin Laden (the late). My tumor is a grade 1, which is good news. She explained that Triple Negative tumors (like mine) are not typically grade 1 tumors. She also told me that the pathologists study the tumor to see the rate at which the cells divide. My tumor (triple negative) has a low rate of division which is typical of Grade 1 tumors but not typical of triple negative tumors. She told me that some triple negative tumors, upon further testing, prove to be five negative tumors and those are actually better than triple negative ones. She thinks my tumor could possibly be a five negative. That was all great information. She concured with my current treatments and upcoming treatments and surgery. That was also good news. She referred to my team of doctors and how they communicate. Unfortunately, even though I have several doctors now, I don't think any of them are communicating with each other much. Dr. Holmes let me know that after every visit with her, she would then send all information to each of my doctors so they can all be up to date with my care. She then checked my from head to toe, measured my tumor, and documented all information in my chart she felt was necessary. I really liked her. She gave me (us) some serious things to consider about the current level of care I am receiving. After my next treatment next Monday (the last of the heavy duty treatments and the first half of my treatments), Brian and I will decide what is in my best interest as far as doctors is concerned. Please pray for us to use discernment and follow God's will. Pray away my nausea that inevitably will come next Monday and throughout next week. I covet your prayers for a speedy recovery next week. Thank you each and every one!
Dr. Holmes had me tell her my story from start to date. As I talked to her, she made notes on my chart. She was looking through the records sent over by my current oncologist and asked me about when I go in to be checked after each treatment. When I mentioned to her that I don't go in for a check-up after each treatment, she didn't really understand. It appears that in my chart, my current dr. sent over notes that after my last chemo on April 18th, she checked my eyes, heart, lungs, abdomen, and feet. Unfortunately, none of that is true. Aside from my very first visit with my current oncologist, when she checked the tumor, she has never checked me again. When Dr. Holmes asked me if my dr. had checked my tumor after each treatment, I had to tell her no. Dr. Holmes was alarmed by this news. She let me know that a full check-up after each chemotherapy treatment is standard care for a cancer patient. I had no idea. Dr. Holmes also said something else that stuck with me. She told me that when I come into her office and I have a tumor, it becomes her tumor. She doesn't sleep well until that tumor is gone from my body. That really meant a lot to me. As we continued going through my chart, she began to discuss the pathology of my tumor with me. She explained that every tumor is given a grade. She compared grade 1 tumors to Gomer Pyle (she had to make sure I knew who that was), grade 2 tumors to G.I. Joe, and grade 3 tumors to Osama Bin Laden (the late). My tumor is a grade 1, which is good news. She explained that Triple Negative tumors (like mine) are not typically grade 1 tumors. She also told me that the pathologists study the tumor to see the rate at which the cells divide. My tumor (triple negative) has a low rate of division which is typical of Grade 1 tumors but not typical of triple negative tumors. She told me that some triple negative tumors, upon further testing, prove to be five negative tumors and those are actually better than triple negative ones. She thinks my tumor could possibly be a five negative. That was all great information. She concured with my current treatments and upcoming treatments and surgery. That was also good news. She referred to my team of doctors and how they communicate. Unfortunately, even though I have several doctors now, I don't think any of them are communicating with each other much. Dr. Holmes let me know that after every visit with her, she would then send all information to each of my doctors so they can all be up to date with my care. She then checked my from head to toe, measured my tumor, and documented all information in my chart she felt was necessary. I really liked her. She gave me (us) some serious things to consider about the current level of care I am receiving. After my next treatment next Monday (the last of the heavy duty treatments and the first half of my treatments), Brian and I will decide what is in my best interest as far as doctors is concerned. Please pray for us to use discernment and follow God's will. Pray away my nausea that inevitably will come next Monday and throughout next week. I covet your prayers for a speedy recovery next week. Thank you each and every one!
Good News (Depending on Your Point of View)
On April 26th, I had my yearly OB/GYN appointment. Before she did the breast exam, she asked me if I thought the size of the tumor had changed. I told her that I had realized in the week prior to the appointment that it appeared to be smaller. She first examined the right breast (the one with the tumor). She then moved to examine the left side. She commented that the tumor had definitely gotten smaller. When I mentioned to her that the tumor was on the other side, she couldn't believe it. I reminded her where it was and then she found it again. The good news for me is that I went from her being able to see the tumor while across the room when I went in on February 14th, to her not even remembering where it was because she had overlooked it. Instead of being frustrated that she wasn't more aware of my situation, I decided to see it as a praise that the tumor is responding to the chemotherapy. I, of course, was thrilled. Please pray specifically that my tumor will definitely respond to this horrible chemotherapy that I am enduring. Just wanted to share my good news with all my prayer warriors and say THANKS!!
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